Seeding attachment for plows



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SEEDING ATTACHMENT EOE PLoWs. No. 402,243. PatentedApT. 30, 1889.y

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` vSEEDING. ATTACHMENT FOR PLOWS. No. 402.2473. Patented Apr. 3,0, 41889. I

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S. W` 0 L D.. am TP BM, mg T M. Hm u S.T TUA G N. I D E E s u d o M 0 W mPentented Apr. 30, 1889.*v

UNTED STATES .PATENT i OFFICE.

JAMES SEYMOUR HIBBETS, OF LUDELL, KANSAS.

SEEDING ATTACHMENT FOR PLows.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Lettere Patent No.` 402,243, dated April 3o, 1889.-

Applioation filed October 30, 1888.

Y T0 all whom t may concern: Y

Be it known that I, `JAMES SEYMOUR HIB- BETs, of Ludell, Rawlins county, Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Corn or Cane Planting Attachments for Plows, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof.

This invention relates to an improvement in seeding attachments for plows, the primary object in view being to provide a simple device which may be removably and adj ust-ably attached to any plow of the type known as walking-plows, and which will, when in use, depositV corn or other seed at spaced intervals continuously while the plow is operated to turn the soil and loosen it, the depth of the seed deposited being made changeable by simple means, and also the number and distance apart of the grains as well as rows" of seed planted. e

A further object is to furnish a seeding' device that is adapted for attachment to a right or left hand plow, and which may be convenientlysecured adjustably to the handles of such plows to operate in the rear of the plow proper, or be removably attached to the plowt beam, so as to operate in advance of the mold-board and plo w-point, either position affording equally good -results in the matter of seeding at spaced intervals in hills or drillingv seed in rows at short distances apart.

A further object is to provide a seeding attachment for right or left hand plows, which is afforded an independent vertical play, so as to enable it to conform to the undulations of the ground operated on, and also to furnish a ready means for the starting or arresting of the seeding mechanism while the plow is in forward motion turning a furrow-slice.

Vith these objects in view my invention consists in certain features of construction and combinations of parts, which will be hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the drawings, making a part of this specification, Figure l is a perspective View of a walking-plow with my improved seeding attachment in position thereon. Fig. 2 is a top plan View of the seeding device disfA Serial No. 289,538. (No model.)

connected from the plow. Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of t'he seeding device, shown in section, taken on the line @c Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional elevation of the seeding meehanism, taken on the line y y, Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a detached and enlarged View of one of the details of the seeding mechanism. Figs. (5, 7, and 8 are detached and enlarged views of important details of the grain-feedin g device.

Fig. 9 is a View of a portion of a plow-beam `with an attached portion of the seeding attachnent, showing the plan of connecting it adj ustably thereto, so as to operate the grain dropping mechanism is advance of the moldboard and plowshare of the plow. an enlarged portion of one end of the trune nioned clamp that is employed to vsecure adjustably the seeding apparatus to the handles or beam oi' a walking-plow. Fig. ll exhibits a series of seeddropping' disks that are adapted to be interchangeable and afford means for graduating the number of seeds or grains dropped and regulate the distance apart between individual grains or clusters of the same in hills that are spaced evenly apart.

A is the plow-beam, A the handles, and A2 the mold-board, of a plow of any approved construction. The beam and handles may be of either wood or metal.

In Fig. l the seedplanter is shown as attached to the handles of the plow and located to the rear of the moldboard A2.

As will be seen, the seeding device displayed in the several figures of the drawings consists of a frame,rl:, composed of two parallel bars, ct, that are integrally connected at their front ends bya vflat plate, a2, these limbs .or bars terminating at their rear ends in boxes d4, which are made separable to permit them .to receive a driving-shaft, J, that will be laterally stiffened by the diagonal braces b, (see Fig. 1,) these extending from the bars a of the frame B to engage the sides of the up Fig. 10 is.

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right posts, as shown. In the boxes ai of the frame B the driving-shaft J is revolubly secured, said shaft being journaled therein, as Shown in Fig. 3. Upon the shaft just mentioned the operating and bearing wheel C is loosely mounted, said wheel having its hub G2 bored out to provide a sliding iit of the same upon the round body of the shaft, the wheel being thus located between the posts cl. A portion of the hub C2 is formed int-o a square cavity at one end, so as to adapt it to receive the squared portion m of the shaft J, this squared socket being tapered'outwardly to enlarge its outer end, and thus allow the squared shaft to enter the same freely when the wheel is shifted endwise upon the shaft. A concentric groove, d5, is cut in the outer surface of the hub C, and in this the crotched limb d4 of the lever C is inserted, said lever being pivotally attached at d to one of the posts d, as shown in Fig. 3. The upper portion of the lever, passing through a longitudinal slot of the cap-plate d', is provided with a spring, d?, which latter engages either of the notches d2, made in the edges of the elongated slot in the cap-plate d', so that if the lever is vibrated the wheel C will be moved endwise on the shaft J and locked thereto or be disengaged therefrom in an obvious manner.

It may here be stated that to afford means for the changing of the adjustment of the seeding device from right to left hand plows, or the reverse, it is necessary that the crotched limb d4 be made adjustable, so that it may be caused to project from either edge of the lever C', hence said piece d4 is secured to the lower end, d3, of the lever in any suitable manner to permit the change mentioned and hold it stable in either position.

On the portion of the shaft J which projects beyond the outer journal of the same an enlargement, fn?, is formed to produce a proper collar, that bears against the end of the box a4, in which the journal revolves, while the additional enlargement or squared portion m, which has contact with the opposite end of said box, serves to prevent endwise movement of the shaft. On a rounded extension, J of the shaft J abase-plate, D, is mounted, it having perforated bracket-ears c, formed or secured on its lower side, which loosely engage the portion J as shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

The base-plate D has a central integral circular projection, D4, formed on its top face, which face is rendered truc by any suitable means, and another offset is formed at D2, which is con centric with a central projecting stud or bolt, O, that is inserted securely in the base-plate, so as to project a proper distance above it, for a purpose which will be presently explained.

The outer end of the rounded portion J of the shaft J is squared and reduced in diameter to receive and hold in place a pinion, p, which latter has a square hole centrally formed in it to permit such an engagement with the shaft. Outside of the toothed pinion p the shaft J is further reduced to form a journal end, which enters a suitableperforation made for its reception in the bracket-box c', that is fastened on the lower side of the base-plate D at its edge to give support to the end of the shaft J and aid in holding the pinion p from displacement.

In order to retain the base-plate D in the same plane with the frame B, a laterally-projecting stay-bar, 71 (see Fig. 2,) is bolted by its ends to the adjacent limb a and edge of said base-plate, and to afford means for ready adjustment of the stay-bar the hole h3 may be slightly elongated, as shown. A further means of securing and stifening the baseplate D against draft-strain produced by contact of the seeding-shoe with the ground is afforded by the diagonal brace-rod S, which is bolted to the outer corner of the base-plate, and also to the nearest limb a of the frame B.

Upon the portion of the base-plate D that projects outside of the shoulder D2 a fiat ring, F, is superimposed. Said ring is provided with gear-teeth (see Fig. 5) on its lower surface, that are in meshed Contact with the teeth of the pinion Vp when the flat ring is in position.

The upper face of the ring or annular plate, F, is preferably dished slightly toward its inner edge, and above this face, having loose contact therewith, the annular cap-piece E is mounted, it being recessed on its lower surface to iit over the toothed ring F, and bear upon the base-plate D, to which it is secured by bolts inserted through holes made in the ears 8 of the cap-piece E and corners of the base-plate. The upper surface of the circular cap-piece E is also dished or inwardly and downwardly sloped, as shown in Fig. 4, from its periphery to the inner edge, this latter being comparatively thin.

Upon the upper face of the base-plate D, and bounded by the inner edge of the toothed rin g-plate F, the feed-disks (shown in Fig. 1l) are located, or, to be more definite, one of these circular flat plates is placed thereon, having its edge in contact with the inner edge of the toothed ring F, to which it is locked by means of projections or angular toes fu, formed at spaced intervals on the edge of the disks, said toes entering corresponding notches fz', that are indented in the adjacent edge of the ring F, so that a revoluble movement ofr this ring effected by a rotation of the shaft J will also rotate the feed-disk, which is in place as stated. It will be noticed that the disks are annular, the central orifice in each being of such relative diameter to that of the projection D4as to permit either disk to be inserted in place and revolve on its seat when actuated, as before mentioned.

In each of the several feed-disks P, P', P2, P3, P4, and P5 (shown in Fig. l1) spaced perforations o are cut or formed. These holes differ in size in each plate and also in their distance from each other. The function of the annular disks being to receive one or TOO more grains or seeds and discharge the saine at a proper point when the seeding mechanism, is in operation, as will be further eX'- plained, it is evident that if there are few holes at Yregular distances from each other, and also from the outer edge of a disk, as shown in disk P, the intervals of periodical discharge of the grain or seed through these orifices willbe .comparatively greater than if the holes were nearer together, as in P3, the use ofwhich will be made manifest by a further description of the operation of the device.

Upon the outer bounding portion of the top face of the cap-piece E the grain-holding chamber or hopper D is secured by the same bolts that secure said cap-piece upon the base-plate D, (see Fig. 2,) suitably-perforated ears projecting from the outer surface of the cylindrical hopper near its lower end, to allow such lan attachment of parts.

, Directly above the feed-disk, which is inmade in the center "of the guard-plate GY through alateral projecting portion, G2, provided therefor. When in proper place, the stud O, which projects from the base-plate D, engages the orifice O2 of the guard-plateG,

l and the winged thumb-nut O' affords means for securing the guard-plate to the base-plate at a central point in both, while the ready removal 0f the guard-plate is permitted by a removal of said clamping-nut O'.

In order to retain the guard-plate G in position and prevent it lfrom shifting around, a dowel-pin, u, that projects from the baseplate D, near the center stud, O, enters a hole,

u', made for its insertionin the guard-plate,

' of the base-plate D, as shown in Figli.

At the lower end of the seed-tube I its wall is cut away on opposite sides to permit the free escape of grain, whichfalls through said tube, and the adjustable shoe I is secured as an envelope upon the outer surface of this tube by the clamping-bolts 9, which are inserted through holes made oppositely in the walls ofthe shoe near its rear edge, it being understood that the'shoe is channeled verti- .cally to produce a receiving-groove throughout itsY length for `the free insertion of the tube I'.

From the front face of the shoe I a thin cutter-blade, e, is projected, which is rounded on its lower end, e', to produce a runner, and thus adapt the shoe to move through the loose soil with the least possible obstruction to its progression. Y

It will be apparent from the form of construction of the shoe I and its method of attachment to the seed-conveying tube I' that the former named may be moved up or down to raise or lower it, and that it may thus be caused to penetrate the soil more or less deeply -as the needs of the service it performs lmay require.

Inspection of Fig. G will show that the guard-plate G has two open slots, G2, formed in it, which extend from s' to the edge s2 of said plate. These vslots are provided to receive the scrapers or cut-offs G', that have projecting lugs t formed on their rear ends, which lugs enter suitably-formed transverse grooves 10, made in the guard-plate at t-he rear edges of the slots G2, so that when in place the scrapers have hinged engagement with the guard-plate and can vibrate vertically. At s the guard-plate G is perforated to receive the shank or stem of a brush or ejector, l-I, said shank being composed of hard wood or springmetal in tubular form, and slitted, as shown in Fig. 6, to permit it to be adjusted andheld in any desired position, vertically considered, by reason of the spring action of the shank. The brush portion o of shank H is preferably ,made of elastic bristles; but spring-Wire of proper fineness may also be used, and in use the brush o' is so set with regard to the feedholes 0 in the disks P P', the., that it will spring down into them as the disk is rotated, and thus cause any grain or seed which may stick in the holes to be ejected and pass down theV tube I'.

In order to render the action of the scrapers G eective in removing su rplus seed from the feed-holes o in the feeding-disks P P', che., a spring-holder, N, is secured upon theguardplate G by a screw-bolt, 02, said holder being shown detached in Fig. 7, and, as will be seen, a spiral spring, N', is therein located, and is so retained and compressed above as to bear upon the scraper G in such a manner that the latter will be yieldingly forced upon the surface of the feeding-disk and with its edge t push away all seed above the feedholes and permit only such as are in these holes to pass under the scraper on their way to the discharge-orice made in the baseplate D, immediately in line with and above the conveyer-tube I. It is obvious that the action of the duplicate scrapers shown will be similar when the disks which feed the seed or grain are rotated in a proper direction, and two Vof said scrapers are provided to permit a reversal of motion of the grain-feeding mechanism which is necessary to accomplish a correct operation on a right or left hand plow.

The'seeding device, which has been specifically described, must, to work efficiently, be so connected to a plow that it may be ad- IOO IIO

j usted to deposit grain at Aa greater or less depth in the soil which has just been turned by the mold-board A2, and it is also important that there be a means provided for t-he adjustment laterally of the seeder with regard to the unplowed land.

The desirable features mentioned are afforded by simple and effective parts of the machine, which will new be described.

A clamp composed of two iiat bars, I3,held spaced apart to afford an elongated slot between them, as shown enlarged in Fig. l0, is secured upon the end plate, a2, of the frame B, suitable holes being formed in the plate and bars to receive the thumb-screws il', which, when in place, hold the bars clamped firmly on the plate a?, and so retain the same intact with the frame B. The spacing blocks d", which are. secured at cach end of the clampingbars B', are provided with journal ends (13,011 which t-he perforated blocks a" are placed, these blocks having reduced bolt ends formed on them to enter and be secured in holes made in the bracket-arm B2, so that the frame B and other parts of the seeding mechanism are thus hinged to this bracket-arm and permitted to play vertically. The portion B3 of the bracket-arm just mentioned is widened and provided with a series of perforations, 7.", which are so spaced apart as to receive the bolts which hold the cla1np-plates f in contact with the plow-handles A', as shown in Fig. l, thus securing the bracket-arm thereto with the seeding appliance located on the furrow side of the plow and sufficiently removed from the unplowed land to cause the shoe I to engage the freshly-plowed soil while the plow 1 furrow-bottom,while the shoe I and seed-conveyer spout I are drawn through the plowed soil. It is necessary that there-should be such a relative adjustment in the projecting length of the bracket-arm B2, as well as the vert-ical adjustment of the shoe upon its supportingtube I that the seed or grain may be located the desired depth below the plowed surface of the ground operated upon. The further the bracket-arm B2 is made to project laterally beyond the track of the plow the less depth will be given to thedischarging end of the tube I', and, as before stated, the depth of seed planted may also be regulated by the vertical adjustment of the shoe I.

Should it be preferred to plant the seed or grain-such as corndirectly in the furrowtrack, so as to be covered bythe next furrowslice eut by the plow, this may be cifected by securing the seeding device directly in the rear of the plow proper, in which ease the elongated holes are utilized for reception of the clamping-bolts which hold the clamps j" in contact with the plow-handles A.

Should it be preferred to give the seeding mechanism a position in advance of the moldboard A?, the bracket-arm B2 is clamped to the plow-beam A, as at q, (see Fig. 9,) and in order to render thc attachment of the mechanism more secure the bracket-arm is braced by a clamped adjustment of the diagonal bar l, that may be either clamped on or bolted to the beam A, as shown.

'l he seeding mechanism that has just been described for use in connection with a walking-plow may also be used in conjunction.

with a gang of plows. In operation it is intended, if a single plowis used in a field, that at least two furrows be turned between the planted rows of corn, if corn is the seedused. A preferable mode of use is to provide a gang of three separate plows, one following the other, and upon the rear plow of the three have the seeding device secured, so that the operation of plowing and seeding will thus be rendered speedy and continuous.

Seeds of different kinds may be planted with the device which is the subject of my present invention-such as corn, sorghum, broomcorn, cotton-seed, peas, beans, &c.

The preferred use is the planting of corn, and by the employment of the different changeable feed-disks shown the grain may be deposited in rows a short distance apart. To do this a disk having its feed-perforations spa-eed as shown in plate P3 is employed. lVhere one grain only is to be ydropped with considerableintervening space between them, a disk perforated as shown at P is used. Where more than one grain is to be deposited in close proximity, with spaces between these groups of grain, technically termed hills, then the orifices are shaped and arranged as shown in P P2 P4, or closer, as in P5.

It will be readily comprehended that the actuating gear-wheel F and pinion p are so proportioned with regard to the progressive movement of the plow when in operation, that the disk in use will be revolved in unison therewith and space apart the seed or grain delivered through the disks into the tube I', and thence to the track opened by the shoe I.

Should it at any time be necessary to arrest the seeding operation while the plowing is continued, this may be instantly done by the lateral movement of the lever C', which will disconnect the shaft J from the wheel C, and thus at once arrest the rotary movement of the seed-dropping mechanism. This provision is one of value where the plow is alternately used to turn the intermediate fui-rows and then seed a third furrow, or at any other desired distance apart of the drilled rows or hills of corn.

Then corn is drilled in for ensilage or the use of the stalks for fodder, it is not necessary to intermit the rows between furrows; but the seeding mechanism maybe used with IOO IOS

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every furrow turned, and the closelyfperforated disk*such as shown at PS--be employed to feed the corn-grains and deposit them in close proximity to each other.

The seeding device is shown as attached to a right-hand walking-plow. In order to secure it upon aleft-hand plow it is simply necessary, as shownby dotted lines in Fig. 2, to remove the position of the bracket-arm B2 by disconnecting it from the blocks a and turning V1t over endwise. The blocks are then inserted andsecured lby pins or nuts into the opposite side of the arm. The driving-shaft .I is also secured so that the projecting portion J-, on which the base-plateD is mounted, will extend from the left side of the frame B, as'viewed from the rear ofv the plow. The diagonal brace-bar S and staybar h are connected to the other limb of the frame B, and the piece d is likewise secured to locate the slotted end on the right side of the machine. The bracketarm' being now kclamped to the handles or beam of the plow completes the attachment of the seeding device to a left-hand plow, which in operation is identical with a righthand plow, except in the direction of turning the furrow-slice.

It will be observed that the hinged connection of the frame B with the bracket-arm B2 will allow the seeding-machine to rise and fall with the undulations of the ground traveled over, so that the seed will be planted at uniform depthv with regard to ground surface.

Several important features of advantage pertain to the employment of a seeding device attached to and operating directly in conjunction with a plow while the soil is being turned and loosened by the plow, the

,more important of which will be mentioned.

First, the immediate planting of corn or other seed when the soil is freshly loosened will have a tendency to quicken its sprouting and assure its growth, and if the harrowing operation is performed directly after the plowing and seeding is completed all traces of the work of seeding are obliterated, and thus gophers and squirrels are not so liable to find the seed and destroy it.

Another feature of advantage obtained by simultaneously planting the Seed while the plowing is being performed consists inthe more ready controlof weeds that are in seed whenthe soilis plowed, as these weed-seeds, being deposited at the same time that the corn is planted, will not get a start ahead of the corn, andthe latter will grow more rapidly by reason of the moisture in the fresh soil, so that the weeds may be easily eradicated without danger of uprooting the corn.

By the planting of corn when the plowing is effected the time of execution of the work is considerably shortened, and thus time is aifordedin. the spring to sow other crops of small grain, while the corn-planting can be delayed to permit this work to be executed without the least detriment to the corn crop.

-The combination of the seed-planter with the plow in the manner hereinbefore set forth does not materially increase the draft of the plow, and it is labor-saving as well as economizing time in the farming operations.

` It is preferred to construct the device mainly of metal, and from its form it may be rendered light and strong as well as moderate in first cost to the manufacturer.

Many slight changes might be made in the form of the parts of this device and their relative arrangement without departure from the spirit or exceeding. the scope of my invention; hence I desire to be allowed a reasonable latitude in the matter of details of construction, and do not wish to be restricted to the exact forms of the parts herein shown; but,

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. Aseeding attachment for a walking-plow which may be regulated for depth of seedplanting, and also the spacing apart of individual seed or groups of the grain as it is being planted, substantially as set forth.

2. A seeding` attachment for plows, which i is adapted to lbe removed at will and attached to either a left or a right hand plow, substal'itially as set forth. V

V3. A seeding attachment for a right or left hand walking-plow, which4 is removably secured to the plow and adapted to plant seed at different depths by changing its adjustment on the plow, substantially as set forth.

4. A seeding attachment for a right or left hand walking-plow, comprised of a frame, a land-wheel, and seed dropping mechanism which is actuated by the revolution of the land-wheel, substantially as set forth.

5. A seeding attachment for a left or right hand walking-plow, having a frame which is hinged to the plow, so as to vibrate vertically independent of the plow, a land-.wheel supported to rotate on the frame, and aseed-dropping device, which is operated by the revolution of the land-wheel when the plow is in use and turning a fu rrow-slice, substantially as set forth. Y

(i. A seeding attachmentfor a right or left hand walking-plow, which is adapted to drop seed a given depth and be thrown out of use when the plow is in motion, substantially as set forth..

7. A seeding attachment for a right or` left vhand walking-plow, that is hinged to allow it to conform. to the undulations of the ground operated upon and adapted to plant seed at a predetermined depth, space apart individual seeds or groups of seed, and be arrested from droppingseeds while the plow is in motion and turning a furrow slice, substantially as set forth.

S. The conibination, with a plow that turns a furrow to the right or left, of a frame, a driving-shaft, a land-wheel that is adapted to run loose on the shaft or be-locked fast to it, and a seeding -device which is operated by ICO IIO

left hand plows, the combination, with a plow,

the land-wheel when the plow is given a forward motion, substantially as set forth.

9. The combination, with a plow, of a reversible bracket-arm, a hinged frame, a driv ing-shaft, a land-wheel, and seed-dropping mechanism which is adapted to be changed in adjustment for regulating the depth of seed-planting, and also the distance of spaced separation of individual grains or groups of seed, substantially as set forth.

10. In a seeding` attachment for right or a bracket-arm removably attached to the plow to operate in advance of or in the rear of the mold-board, and a hinged frame, of a drivingshaft, a land-wheel mounted on the drivingshaft, a device to lock the land-wheel to the shaft or release it, and a seed-dropping device which is supported on the driving-axle, and is adapted to periodically deposit seed in plowed soil which has been turned by the plow, substantially as set forth.

Il. In a seeding attachment for walkingplows, the combination, with a plow-beam, a bracket-arm adj ustably attached to the beam, and a frame which is hinged to the bracketarm, of a driving-shaft supported to revolve on the frame, a land-wheel mounted loosely on the driving-shaft, a device to shift the landwheel on the shaft and lock it thereto, abascplate, a seed-hopper, and seed-droppin g mechanism mounted on the base-plate and adapted 2, to be operated by the revolution of the drivi ing-shaft and land-wheel, substantially as set forth.

12. In a seeding attachment for a walkingplow, the combination, with the handles of a plow, a bracket-arm removably and extensibly secured to these handles, and a frame that is hinged to have vertical vibration on the bracket-arm, of a driving-shaft revolubly secured in the frame, a land-wheel slidingly mounted on the driving-shaft, a shifting-lever to move the land-wheel, and means to lock it to the drivin g-shaft, substantially as set forth.

13. In `a seeding attachment for plows, the combination, with the handles of a right or left hand plow, a bracket-arm, a frame, a drivin g-shaft, a land-wheel, a lever that is adapted to shift the land-wheel longitudinally of the driving-shaft, and a means to interlock thc drivin g-shaft and land-wheel when it is shifted on the shaft, of a base-plate, a seed-hopper, and dropping mechanism which is supported on the base-plate and actuated by a pinion which is mounted on the driving-shaft and revolves when the plow is moved forwardly to turn a furrow-slice, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I afx my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES SEYMOVR IIIBBE'IS.

Witnesses:

J. L. CoNsTABLE, (l, T. MENsso. 

